By AINSLEY THOMSON
Police have arrested fugitive Black Power gang member Joe "Bucket" Coleman, wanted in connection with an Otahuhu cross-dresser's murder.
Coleman, after eluding police for more than three weeks, was arrested in South Auckland yesterday afternoon. He has yet to be charged.
Hours earlier, armed officers raided at least six
North Shore and South Auckland properties where Coleman might have been hiding.
George "Georgie Girl" Matehaere died three weeks ago - six days after he was severely beaten with a softball bat in an Otahuhu state-housing block.
Mr Matehaere, who preferred to be known as a woman and called Georgie or Georgina, managed to get his 100kg, 180cm frame to hospital after the beating.
He was discharged but returned to Auckland Hospital's critical care unit, where he died.
Five days after the attack, police said they were searching for Coleman, who was believed to have fled to Northland with his de facto partner, Diane Henare-Wynyard, and their young son.
Yesterday police, who posted a $20,000 reward for information leading to Coleman's capture, said he was back in greater Auckland.
Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Hallett said information from the reward 0800 number and the six searches helped find the fugitive.
Coleman is expected to appear in Manukau District Court today. Police are talking to his partner, who may appear in court too.
